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This morning I preached on the transfiguration. Biblically, it is an interesting event, but
probably more for its symbolic meanings than for any historic significance. Indeed, if it
never happened, I figure that doesn’t much matter. The details of the story are more
important. So, what stands out in the story? Well, for one thing, Peter’s reaction to it all,
which is his usual over-reaction: “if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you,
one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Interesting. In the midst of a supernatural event, Peter
wants to create a convention. But maybe this is a human inclination. Martin Luther was
upset with the church at Rome for a number of reasons. He posted those reasons, those
arguments, on a church door to invite dialogue on these matters. More than dialogue
ensued. By the time he and the church and all his followers were done, new institutions
were being founded. John Wesley wanted to enhance the spiritual life of members of the
Church of England. They ended up creating their own church. But in the case of Peter, God
doesn’t give him time to set up his “dwellings.” In the next verse we read, “while he was
still speaking...” and God broke into the event. So, do we ever experience “transfiguration”
events? I have an uncle who is concerned that other folks have had God speak to them, but
he has not. It is as if he thinks he is missing out on something. I tried to tell him that there
are many ways God might speak to us without it sounding like a human voice. Events can
speak to us. Thoughts and feelings can speak to us. I think God tries to get our attention in
many different ways. Some of them work, and I imagine that lots of them don’t, mostly
because of how we are or are not paying attention. So, Jesus transfiguration was a
message from God, as were the words they heard: “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I
am well pleased; listen to him!” When pastors experience call, I think that they are
receiving a message from God. The call may be a revealing event; it may be thoughts
flashing through one’s mind; or it may be God speaking through another person. And in all
of this, one’s life is in fact transfigured. Suddenly, a person begins to see him or herself in a
different way. Life takes on a different kind of meaning and purpose. The end of the text
reveals that Jesus said to the three disciples, “Tell no one about the vision.” So it really
WAS a vision, and we need not quibble over the material reality of the event. But it was also
intended only for those disciples; otherwise Jesus would not have told me to keep silent
about it. Maybe God believed that Peter and James and John needed, at that time, to have a
special message impressed upon them. posted by
John Harrison at 10:18 PM
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